Matsushita back with ART Grand Prix for third year

Nobuharu Matsushita remains with ART Grand Prix for a third consecutive season - Credit: Sam Bloxham/GP2 Series Media Service

Japanese racer Nobuharu Matsushita will remain with ART Grand Prix in the GP2 Series for a third consecutive season, and will be eyeing up a championship charge in 2017.

Honda protégé Matsushita joined ART back in 2015, and has two race victories to his name – at the Hungaroring in 2015 and Monte Carlo in 2016 – and he becomes the first driver to be confirmed to the team in 2017.

However, he did have the misfortune of being banned from proceedings for the Austrian round in 2016 due to supposedly dangerous driving in Baku after messing up a couple of safety car restarts, but he ended his season with a podium finish in Abu Dhabi.

“I am happy to be able to race in GP2 Series again, and very honoured to work with ART Grand Prix for a third consecutive season,” said Matsushita. “It is a fantastic team that helped me to settle in a brand new environment back in 2015 but also allowed me to grow as a driver and to secure a win and several podiums
during my first year in the series.

“I hope I will be able to bring them more wins this season and to help them to fight for the championship. I would like to thank Honda for continuously giving me this great opportunity. I am ready to make this season a great one. I cannot wait for the season to start.”